EFCC Moves to Support Constructive Ventures Among Youths in Curbing Internet Fraud

EFCC Moves to Support Constructive Ventures Among Youths in Curbing Internet Fraud

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to support constructive and meaningful ventures to combat internet- related fraud among young Nigerians.

He gave this affirmation at the International Day of the Boy Child themed Boys For Integrity, held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The programme, held to commemorate the International Boy Child Day, encouraged young boys to embrace integrity, hard work, and positive values for a better future.

Highlighting the theme of the event, Olukoyede who was represented by the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Aisha Mohammed, reiterated the need for integrity, discipline and honesty among young Nigerians, adding that, “If we want a Nigeria free of corruption, we must raise a generation of boys who see integrity not as a burden, but an identity.”

He added that integrity was the foundation of adulthood and real adulthood is measured by character when no one is watching.

“It is choosing honesty over shortcuts, fairness over favouritism and accountability over excuses. Boys must be taught, we must not assume they know, if we assume they know, they will not know. We cannot assume boys will figure out integrity on their own. They need to hear it, see it and practice it”, he said.

Olukoyede further stated that the mandate of the EFCC is not limited to only arrest and prosecution, the Commission also has the mandate of enlightening and reorienting the behaviour, cultures and life patterns of the Nigerian youths.

“Finally, we at the EFCC, our mandate is to fight economic and financial crimes, but we know that arrests alone will not change a culture. The real victory will come when boys decide that integrity is non-negotiable and that’s why we create the Integrity Club for primary and secondary school and Zero Tolerance Club for tertiary institutions all trying to instil that spirit of integrity in young ones”, he said.

President of Great Achievers Initiative For Youths and Community Development, GAIYD, organiser of the event, Hillary Akpua, said the organisation began its advocacy several years ago out of concern that the boy child had been largely ignored in conversations surrounding child development, adding that the group has consistently pushed for greater attention to the emotional, moral and social development of boys. “It’s a journey that we started with friends and today we are almost five years old,” he said.

Akpua noted that the organisation deliberately adopted football for the 2026 event because of the sport’s ability to unite people and attract wider participation among young boys.

“Football brings nations together, football brings communities together, football brings families together,” he said.

He stressed that the central message of the programme was to encourage boys to grow with integrity and responsibility.

Also speaking, Alhaji Aminu Yakubu Wambai, Wakilin Raya Kasar Zazzau, admonished the boys to be good leaders of tomorrow and urged parents to be role models to their children, and to serve as advisers, mentors and role models to the boys.

The event highlighted sporting activities including 100 meters race, with Peter Emmanuel, from Bill Clinton College emerging the winner, while Gabriel Oche from Government Secondary School, GSS Nyanya came second and Timothy Excellence from Winning Ways Academy came third.

For the 400 meters race, David Sunday from GSS, Karu, came first, Egele Goodluck from God’s Grace International Academy came second, while Nathaniel Gunana from Bri Mike Montessori Academy clinched the third place award.